Butt believes Old Trafford's worldwide scouting operation is already scouring the globe for new models.

"It always happens with the great players at United," Butt told the People. "People say there will never be another one like them and we've seen that with Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Ronaldo.

"But if there's any club that can unearth another gem like Giggs or Scholes, it will be United. The wheel is always turning behind the scenes to find another great player in the making.

"The two lads are the cornerstone of the club but I think at this stage if they weren't performing they'd be out of there like a shot of their own accord - they wouldn't wait to be told."